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Where computer hardware, industry history, engineering experience, and personal observations connect.

Navigating the Expansion Slot Landscape: A Guide to PCI and Modern Alternatives

Myles KelvinBlog
Today, we're diving deep into the heart of your computer's architecture: expansion slots. Specifically, we'll explore the tried-and-true PCI/PCIe slots and the exciting modern alternatives that are shaking up the scene. So to start - ISA slots! (Industry Standard Architecture) ISA was (and still is I suppose) a 16 bit bus from the IBM PC-AT computer age. Originally referred to as the PC bus (8-bit) or AT bus (16-bit), it was also named I/O Channel by IBM. The ISA term was coined as a retronym by
2U Short-depth rack-mount server (20" deep)

2U Short-depth rack-mount server (20" deep)

Myles KelvinBlog
2U Short-depth rack-mount server The RMS-2U-17R is a short-depth, very high-performance server with sixteen removable data drives. A single removable boot SSD and a DVD drive complete the storage capabilities. Front-panel USB access and a power switch are also included. Performance comes from a dual Intel Xeon scalable server-grade motherboard and dual-redundant PSUs. The only downside is that half-height expansion cards are the maximum supported. However, there are plenty of powerful RAID or SA
Rugged laptops with expansion slots - X500 and NotePAC

Rugged laptops with expansion slots - X500 and NotePAC

Myles KelvinBlog
Laptop computers with expansion slots Portexa NotePAC-III-PRO-V Triple screen portable server with expansion Getac X500 Single screen portable server with expansion "If you need a portable laptop-style computer with an expansion slot or two, there are not many options…. Common Features Large laptop portables Two PCIe expansion slots Fast processing Lots of connectivity Two alternatives - X500 and NotePAC-III If you need a portable laptop-style computer with an expansion slot or two, there are no
Unlimited battery power!  NotePAC-III-PRO-V with Power Pack.

Unlimited battery power! NotePAC-III-PRO-V with Power Pack.

Myles KelvinBlog
Click on image for larger view Announcing the NotePAC-III-PRO-V POWER PAC 4+ hour battery life rugged portable The NotePAC-III-PRO-V is the most powerful computer in it’s class. Triple screen portable computers with 16 core Xeon’s and expansion slots are inherently both powerful and require external power…. Until now! An additional machined aluminum chassis attaches to the NotePAC-III-PRO-V behind the main chassis, and out of view when using the system. Six x 81Wh batteries give a run-time of ov
No Knead Bread Recipe - 24H

No Knead Bread Recipe - 24H

Myles KelvinBlog
No-Knead Bread Recipe (It's corona diaries time) Based on NYT 24H recipe by Mark Bittman who credited Jim Lahey, owner of Sullivan Street Bakery . To make no-knead bread, combine 3 dry ingredients and water. Wait a bit. Bake. 430g flour 15g salt 1g yeast Weigh the flour - 430g -or 15 and a bit oz. Bread flour is best - but as it's hard to find right now (March 2020) this is just regular "All-Purpose" white flour. Salt - 15g No need to weigh separately - you can just re-tare and add to the flour.
Deployable Video Processing Laptop

Deployable Video Processing Laptop

Myles KelvinBlog
Deployable Video Processing Laptop Rugged triple screen Xeon portable with video capture card NotePAC-III-PRO-V Vertical triple screen portable NotePAC-III-PRO Rugged laptop - triple screen NotePAC-III-SC Rugged laptop - Special configuration Video capture hardware solution Many security and surveillance missions rely on video. They need to monitor , capture, and disseminate video feeds. If a picture tells a thousand words, then a video is a library full of information. Capturing, processing, an
PCT Multi-touch screens on portable workstation

PCT Multi-touch screens on portable workstation

Myles KelvinBlog
MegaPAC L1, L2 & L3 Now with PCT Multi-touch screens Multi-touch portable workstations The latest touch screen technology is now available on large deployable workstation screens. The ACME MegaPAC is now available with Projected Capacitive Touch screens. Single, dual and triple screen workstations are available, and whichever system suits your needs, all screens support multi-touch input. Almost everyone today is using touch-enabled mobile devices, tablet devices, or laptops on a daily basis. Mu
Mil-DTL-901E Tested Laptop

Mil-DTL-901E Tested Laptop

Myles KelvinBlog
Mil-DTE-901E Lightweight . The lightweight test is a test performed on the lightweight shock machine. The weight of the test item including fixture to attach it to the test machine shall be less than 550 pounds. Items to be tested shall be classified in accordance with one of the following grades, as specified: Grade A . Grade A items are items which are essential to the safety and continued combat capability of the ship. Grade B . Grade B items are items whose operation is not essential to the
Quad display portable workstation

Quad display portable workstation

Myles KelvinBlog
MegaPAC-RD-24 Portable Workstation EATX Dual Xeon Portable Power . Multi-display portable workstation Introducing the MegaPAC-RD. The all-new MegaPAC-RD is available with one, two, three or four displays. Displays can be mounted on the left or right, and also on top of the main chassis. In other words, the MegaPAC-RD gives the ultimate in flexibility to arrange the workspace for optimum ergonomics. Above all, the MegaPAC-RD is the most flexible multi-display portable workstation on the planet! D
Most powerful silent PSU

Most powerful silent PSU

Myles KelvinBlog
Silent PSU Technology from Seasonic SILENCE! - The most powerful fanless power supply [embed height="315" width="560"]https://youtu.be/bY8n8Qmsazk[/embed] Silence is golden. But in this case, it's actually better - it's Titanium! Titanium is better than gold for many things - but in a silent PSU, it means ultra-high efficiency. (94 % efficiency at 50 % system load.) Combine that with fanless operation and therefore basically silent operation, and you can see why Seasonic are proud of their Prime

About the COTS Computers Blog

Find technical explanations, historical context, and practical examples related to rugged and portable computing.

The blog covers portable computers, rugged workstations, deployable servers, storage, expansion hardware, displays, networking, USB, PCIe, and the history of personal computing.

It is intended for engineers, technical buyers, procurement professionals, field teams, and anyone researching how portable and rugged computer systems work. 

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